Moon Camp
Project, Report
By: AstroCamp Team
IMMACULÉE CONCEPTION PAU
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Who Are we? .................................................................................................................................. 2
The Team ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Alexis A.………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Nominoë B. .............................................................................................................................. 3
Marius G.………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Maxime G. ............................................................................................................................... 3
MATHÉO L. ............................................................................................................................... 4
Why did we choose to do the project? ...................................................................................... 4
The Project ...................................................................................................................................... 4
The Organization ........................................................................................................................ 4
Task Management ................................................................................................................. 4
The tools we used ................................................................................................................... 5
3D modelling ............................................................................................................................... 5
The reflexion ............................................................................................................................ 5
Organization tree in the 3D models ..................................................................................... 5
Base organization ................................................................................................................... 6
Work axis ……………………………………………………………………………………………..7
The issues ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Life Support ................................................................................................................................. 7
Oxygen Management ........................................................................................................... 7
Water Management .............................................................................................................. 7
Food Management ................................................................................................................ 8
Technical issues .......................................................................................................................... 9
Energy Management ............................................................................................................. 9
Structure management ....................................................................................................... 13
Health and safety issues ...................................................................................................... 13
Technical Aspects ........................................................................................................................ 14
Base Capacities ....................................................................................................................... 14
Number of astronauts .......................................................................................................... 14
Surface ………………………………………………………………………………………………14
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Base organization ..................................................................................................................... 14
Domes organization ............................................................................................................. 14
Construction .............................................................................................................................. 14
STEP 1: First elements ............................................................................................................ 14
Step 2: First Deployments ..................................................................................................... 14
STEP 3: Construction phase ................................................................................................. 15
Step 4: Finishing phase ......................................................................................................... 15
step 5: Astronauts’ arrival .................................................................................................... 15
Thanks ............................................................................................................................................ 15
Special Thanks .......................................................................................................................... 15
Credits ............................................................................................................................................ 15
Authors ........................................................................................................................................... 15
Glossary ......................................................................................................................................... 16
Website .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Important Informations ................................................................................................................ 16
Images ........................................................................................................................................... 16
Living Room ............................................................................................................................... 16
Vehicle Storage ........................................................................................................................ 17
Labs and Infirmary .................................................................................................................... 19
Food Production ....................................................................................................................... 21
Energy Production .................................................................................................................... 22
WHO ARE WE?
The Team
We are a team of 5 students, interested in space. This project was made possible thanks
to all of our teachers. They introduced the project, and we chose to do it. But, before
presenting the project, let’s present ourselves.
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ALEXIS A.
I’m a 16-year-old student, keen on space, rockets and anything that flies. I already had
an experience with Fusion 360, as I’ve been 3D modelling and
printing things for a while now. This project helped me to confirm my
engineer vocation. With this project, I also progressed a lot with
Fusion 360, using features I wasn’t used to manipulating.
NOMINOË B.
My name is Nominoë and I'm 16. I'm in Year 2 at the Immaculée Conception school in
Pau in France. I chose to take part in this project because I'd like to
work in a similar field (military aerospace). In fact, I thought it would
be interesting to try out Fusion 360 for the first time, which is a tool
that I'm sure I'll come to use in my future professional life.
MARIUS G.
I'm a 14-year-old high school student who enjoys maths... Just maths! When Alexis asked
me to join his project, I couldn't say no, as he's very convincing. I've
never used any 3D modelling software. But as I'm an avid learner, I
was very enthusiastic about the idea of creating a lunar base...
then I opened the software... and moved on to writing; it was better
that way!
MAXIME G.
I’m 15 years old and I’m passionate about space and aeronautics, which is why I’m doing this
project. I did not have any experience with FUSION 360 but I like
learning. This project has helped confirm my aeronautics or
aerospace vocation.
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MATHÉO L.
I'm a 16-year-old student and I'm doing this project because I'm interested in space. It
allows me to understand the challenges of moon camp and to
develop my skills. I also learned how to model in Fusion 360. I found
this project very inspiring and interesting.
WHY DID WE CHOOSE TO DO THE PROJECT?
We were given the opportunity to do this project with our teachers, as said before.
Moreover, in class, we had to prepare an “Astro project”, for an exhibition. The chosen
theme was the moon. The Moon Camp project perfectly matched the theme.
THE PROJECT
Now, let us present our organization, the issues we had to face, but also the solutions we
have come up with.
The Organization
TASK MANAGEMENT
First of all, we defined a clear timeline, with multiple steps, and goals. The objective was
to decompose the project, because planning on small periods of time is easier. For
example, we defined a certain amount of time for the conception of the water
management system, a certain amount of time for the conception of the energy
management system, etc..
Moreover, we split the tasks between us 5.
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We also met as often as possible, so
that we could track the progress.
THE TOOLS WE USED
We reported progresses on a huge
Excel Spreadsheet, so each of us
could see the progress of the
project.
We used Fusion 360, an AUTODESK
software for the 3D modeling of our
base. The team and project
management features of Fusion 360
were very useful for us, as we
worked in teams for maximum
efficiency with 3D modeling. We all
made major progress on Fusion 360,
by getting into pairs made of 1 expert and 1 beginner, so that the expert would help the
beginner very quickly and easily.
3D modelling
THE REFLEXION
The project was conceived to be as easy as possible to model, but also as adapted as
possible for the moon environment, as we will explain later on.
ORGANIZATION TREE IN THE 3D MODELS
To make it more efficient, we worked with three files level:
• The Base components
• The Main components
• The Assembly
As an example, this is our
models folder
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Here is a chart that illustrates our organization:
BASE ORGANIZATION
The base is organized as separate domes, and we will explain this choice later on. Here is
a plan of our base:
Living room
Food
Production
Food
Production
Labs & other
infrastructure
Labs & other
infrastructure
Labs & other
infrastructure
vehicles
storage
Energy
Production
Storage &
ECLSS
Assembly
Main
Component
#1
Base
Component
#1
Base
Component
#2
Main
Component
#2
Base
Component
#3
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Note: This is a chart
WORK AXIS
At the very beginning of the project, we defined 6 main technical constraints which were
• Oxygen Management
• Water Management
• Food Management
• Energy Management
• Structure Management
• Health and safety issues
THE ISSUES
Life Support
OXYGEN MANAGEMENT
As far as oxygen is concerned, we've chosen to focus on the phenomenon of water
electrolysis. Thanks to the lunar ice present on site, electrolysis will modify the organization
of water molecules to produce oxygen.
In addition, several filtration elements have been installed in the energy storage module.
These filtration systems will purify the air and recycle the oxygen already present in the
base. Astronauts will thus benefit from a more pleasant living environment.
WATER MANAGEMENT
Astronauts, like all living creatures, need to drink. But it's still complicated to find a way of
finding water on the Moon... Finding that importing water was too energy-consuming, we
decided to use the water recycler present on the ISS: the ECLSS. It consists of the UPA
(Urine Processor Assembly)
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, which collects the astronauts' urine, the WPA (Water
Processor Assembly), which collects the moisture from breathing and sneezing, and
finally the BPA (Brine Processor Assembly), which extracts the brine from the water. This
system recycles 98% of the water discharged by astronauts. The missing 2% of water can
be found on moon poles, under the form of ice. However, the base should recycle its
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The toilets are located under the beds, and can be deployed. For showers, astronauts won’t
use classic showers, with water, because of low gravity, but towelette.
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water as much as possible, as the quantity of available is limited. On technical aspects,
the Urine Processor Assembly is designed to recycle about 9kg/day, corresponding to the
need of a 6/7-people crew. So, 2 ECLSS would be needed to meet the needs of a crew
of 12/14 astronauts. To compensate for any problems that might arise, we've decided to
include a drinking water tank at the base, to allow time for emergency supplies to arrive
on the Moon.
FOOD MANAGEMENT
One of the main constraints we face in the context of feeding on a lunar base is the
limitation of transportable resources. Space missions have strict restrictions in terms of
weight and volume, which makes it difficult to transport large quantities of food from
Earth. It is therefore imperative to find effective and sustainable food solutions for
astronauts living in extraterrestrial environments.
Vacuum-packed food
ADVANTAGES
Our initial research focused on the use of vacuum-packed food as the main source of
nutrition. This method has a number of advantages, including its reliability as a safe
source of nutrients, its good mineral content and its resistance to disease, thanks to the
absence of micro-organisms in a vacuum environment.
DISADVANTAGES
However, a major disadvantage is the need to carry large quantities of vacuum-packed
food, as well as the need for regular resupply, which poses significant logistical
challenges in a space context.
Canned food
ADVANTAGES
Canned food has also been explored as a viable option due to its long shelf life and
dietary variety.
DISADVANTAGES
However, like vacuum-packed food, canned food requires large quantities to meet the
nutritional needs of astronauts, and waste management becomes an issue, as recycling
packaging is difficult in a space environment.
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Dried fruit
ADVANTAGES
Another option being explored is the use of dried fruit, which has the advantage of being
a concentrated source of nutrients with few drawbacks.
DISADVANTAGES
However, they do not provide all the elements required for a balanced diet over the
long term, which limits their use as a sole solution.
Use of algae
ADVANTAGES
Spirulina offers several key benefits. Firstly, it requires fewer resources to grow than
traditional terrestrial crops. In addition, it can be grown in a controlled environment, such
as a specially designed sterile hangar, allowing astronauts to be almost self-sufficient in
terms of food. Spirulina also has the ability to filter water, improving the quality of the
living environment on the lunar base. What's more, although it doesn't produce a
significant amount of energy, it can contribute to small-scale energy production.
DISAVANTAGES
However, algae will need large amounts of water, as it lives in aquatic environment.
Thankfully, water can be found on the moon, on the poles.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, combined with a few canned and vacuum-packed foods for backup and
supplementation, the use of spirulina as the main food source on a lunar base represents
an effective solution to the unique challenges posed by feeding in a space environment.
By combining its nutritional qualities, ease of cultivation and versatility, spirulina offers a
promising route to food self-sufficiency for long-term space missions.
Technical issues
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
As we all know, energy is crucial. So first, we tried to figure out how much energy the
base will use.
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Energy consumption estimations
Using the ISS energy consumption, we figured out that our base will use 768,8 kW/H,
considering some safety margins.
Energy Productions
We studied 3 different possibilities for energy production:
SOLAR PANELS & BATTERY
ADVANTAGES
• Proven technologies (ISS)
• Good production capacity
• Low risk
DISADVANTAGES
PANELS
• Intermittent production (moon revolution)
• Requires frequent cleaning (dust raised during moon landings)
• Not very compact
• Limited lifespan
• Difficult to transport (heavy & bulky)
• Difficult to install (size and weight)
• Requires a complex mechanism for sun tracking
• Must be mounted on-site
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BATTERIES
• Heavy and bulky (several tons)
• Heating & fire risks
• Limited lifespan
• Expensive
• Difficult to transport (heavy & bulky)
• Difficult to install (size and weight)
• Capacity decreases over time
CONCLUSION
The combination of solar panels and batteries, although proven, happens to be costly
and difficult to maintain over time. It is therefore not the ideal solution. However, it is a
good backup option.
HYDROGEN FUEL CELL
ADVANTAGES
• Future technology
• Continuous production
• Proven at a small scale
DISADVANTAGES
• Costly
• Requires large, heavy, and cumbersome reservoirs
• Pure hydrogen storage is risky (flammable and explosive)
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• Needs frequent refueling
• Untested at large scale
CONCLUSION
Due to its numerous disadvantages and associated risks, we cannot consider this
solution as a main solution. However, it is a good backup option.
NUCLEAR BATTERIES
ADVANTAGES
• Compact
• Proven technology
• Tested technology in extraterrestrial environments (Curiosity, Voyager I&II)
• Can be preassembled
• Continuous production
• Easy to replenish
• No humans needed for installation
• Long lifespan
• No maintenance required
• High production capacity
DISADVANTAGES
• Potential risk, but controlled
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CONCLUSION
The use of nuclear power seems to be the best option. Compact and powerful, the
technology is straightforward to implement.
Deployment of Nuclear Batteries
Considering that we use plutonium dioxide, with “only” 2.3 t of this material, we should
produce 1 MW/H for 20 years.
STRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
We've chosen to use fiber-reinforced polymers, and cover it with regolith, which we'll be
distributing across all the modules in our base, as this material is more resistant to the
radiation present in the lunar atmosphere. What's more, we've used an aluminum alloy
that is both light and resistant to the micrometeorites that are common on the Moon
surface. Finally, we addressed the issue of thermal insulation by distributing composite
materials inside the module walls, thus storing energy and avoiding temperature-related
losses.
HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES
As we all know, the moon is located thousands of kilometers from the nearest hospital.
There are no firefighters, doctors, or emergency exits. In case of any issue, astronauts will
have to face it alone.
Base Conception
The base is concepted so that all the different domes can be isolated easily, and quickly.
For example, each dome is equipped with air and fireproof doors. Moreover, the base is
equipped with fire and air sinks detectors, to ensure of astronauts’ safety.
Safety equipment
The base is equipped with a little hospital, which has a surgery robot, in case of
emergency needs. The robot is concepted to be operated remotely, as is already the
case. A complete pharmacy is also present.
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Redundancy
All the major equipment are redundant. For instance, for energy production, there are
three sources: Solar panels, Hydrogen cell, and nuclear cell. There are also 3 antennas: 2
around the base and one on the rocket. On the food and water question, we also have
water and oxygen tanks, just in case.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS
Base Capacities
NUMBER OF ASTRONAUTS
The base is built for 12-14 Astronauts.
SURFACE
All the domes are about 150 m², without the floors. There are 7 habitable domes. So,
there are about 1000 m² habitable.
Base organization
DOMES ORGANIZATION
The organization in domes was chosen because it allows the isolation of each dome in
case of any depressurization issue or emergency. Moreover, domes hold themselves, like
roman arches.
Construction
We imagined a construction system in multiple steps.
STEP 1: FIRST ELEMENTS
The first elements are deposed by robots.
STEP 2: FIRST DEPLOYMENTS
Dome-shaped plastic membrane deploys, inflated with pressurized air. Cranes are also
deployed.
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STEP 3: CONSTRUCTION PHASE
The membranes are covered with lunar dust, to protect it from meteorites and radiations.
STEP 4: FINISHING PHASE
Robots connect all the cables and pipes so that astronauts are ready to get there.
STEP 5: ASTRONAUTS’ ARRIVAL
6/7 Astronauts land near the base. They live in their lunar module during the finishing of
the construction. Astronauts are the workers. They finish the base in about a week.
Another bunch of 6/7 Astronauts arrive; the base is habitable.
THANKS
First, a huge thanks to all the teachers who contributed, helped us, and made effort to
make this project possible.
Special Thanks
A special Thanks to
• Our Maths teacher, who presented us the project
• Our English teacher, who helped us with the redaction of this report
• Our Physics teacher, who gave us some time on her classes so that we could work
on the project
• Our Biology teacher, who gave us some time on his classes so that we could work
on the project
• The School Administration, who floated this project
• Mr. Alexis Paillet, from CNES, who gave us a scientific review on our project.
CREDITS
• Free to use images, for illustration, in the models.
AUTHORS
• Alexis A.
• Nominoë B.
• Marius G.
• Maxime G.
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• Mathéo L.
GLOSSARY
• ECLSS: Environmental Control and Life Support System
• Nuclear Cell: The same cell technology used on Voyager I&II. They use plutonium
dioxide to work
WEBSITE
We have a website, were this report, and the models can be found:
https://mooncampprojectimmacpau.github.io/
It’s still work in progress…
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS
There is no ground on the models. This is our choice because it permits a better visibility of
the interiors. However, we thought that, for the construction, the lunar ground would first
be flattened, then, the membranes will lay on it. See Construction section for more info.
IMAGES
Living Room
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Vehicle Storage
Bedroom and Gym Room
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